Parks, beaches, reserves remain closed under Level 4 lockdown

30 April 2020 

Together with officials from the City of Cape Town, we have studied the amended Disaster Management Act regulations as published by the National Government in preparation of Level 4 of the COVID-19 lockdown period. The regulations explicitly state that no municipality will be allowed to open public parks, nature reserves, and beaches. Thus, these public areas remain off limits until further notice.

However, concessions have been made by the National Government to allow residents to exercise during 06:00 and 09:00 in the morning as from tomorrow, 1 May 2020.

I am pleased to say that public thoroughfares across the city will be open for those residents who want to run, jog, cycle or walk within a 5 km radius from their homes between 06:00 and 09:00.

These include spaces such as:

- Sea Point promenade (the paved area, and not the grass, or play area)

- Muizenberg to St James walkway

- Strand promenade

- Willis Walk in Simon’s Town

- Kommetjie walkway to lighthouse

- Government Avenue next to the Company’s Garden; and

- all other publicly accessible boardwalks or pathways

I am sure these concessions will bring some relief during this time when our freedom of movement is curtailed. At the same time, I am calling on residents to please continue to practice physical distancing when they are out exercising.

Wear a face mask, or a cloth to cover your mouth and nose when you leave home. Do not congregate or exercise in groups. This is for your own safety, and for the safety of others.

The national regulations for Level 4 are not too different from Level 5 in terms of the movement restrictions. Please respect these regulations.

By working together, we can flatten the curve and limit the spread of the virus, and get back to work as soon as possible.

Issued by Greg Wagner, Spokesperson to the Executive Mayor, 30 April 2020